Marvell believes Xelerated's AX and HX processors and programmable switches will complement its "portfolio of packet processors, ARM-based SoCs, wireless and low-power physical layer devices widely used in infrastructure, data center and enterprise networking equipment," giving it a stronger all-round offer for system vendors targeting the service provider market.

Why this matters
Xelerated is a key specialist in the 100Gbit/s chip sector, so Marvell has catapulted itself to the forefront of that key market.

Xelerated's key rival is EZchip Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq: EZCH), which has been working with Marvell up to now. So does this signal the end of that relationship? Not according to Marvell, which stated in its official release about the acquisition that it will "continue to work with EZChip on NP-4 and NP-5 processors and is committed to the long term relationship with EZChip."

A CSP's digital transformation involves so much more than technology. Crucial – and often most challenging – is the cultural transformation that goes along with it. As Sigma's Chief Technology Officer, Catherine Michel has extensive experience with technology as she leads the company's entire product portfolio and strategy. But she's also no stranger to merging technology and culture, having taken a company — Tribold — from inception to acquisition (by Sigma in 2013), and she continues to advise service providers on how to drive their own transformations. This impressive female leader and vocal advocate for other women in the industry will join Women in Comms for a live radio show to discuss all things digital transformation, including the cultural transformation that goes along with it.